diff --git a/pykat/components.py b/pykat/components.py
index 9c3a8826b3a3e323e132fc150aad1af04f5d0f1c..c6fe19a533427af7374ac8d8807c314ecf587fbe 100644
--- a/pykat/components.py
+++ b/pykat/components.py
@@ -1490,8 +1490,13 @@ class modulator(Component):
     def order(self, value):
         
         try:
-            value = int(value)
+            value = float(value)
+
+            if not value.is_integer():
+                raise pkex.BasePyKatException("modulator order must be an integer between 1 and 6 or 's' for single sideband")
             
+            value = int(value)
+
             if value <= 1 and value > 6:
                 raise pkex.BasePyKatException("modulator order must be between 1 and 6 or 's' for single sideband")